1-2 Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) within SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF BIOPLASTIC WITH THE HELP OF MICROALGAE
The Department of Chemistry is offering a postdoctoral scholarship within SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF BIOPLASTIC WITH THE HELP OF MICROALGAE. The scholarship is full-time for two years with access 1 August, 2024 or by agreement. Last day to apply is May 21, 2024.
Project description
Climate change, energy- and food security are the main challenges of our society. Microalgae can be part of the solution; they are highly efficient in photosynthetic carbon capture, and their biomass can be used as energy source, for high value products, food or feed. Even though microalgae are regarded as highly promising feedstock, costs of downstream processes are too high to compete with fossil-based products.
The aim of our project is to investigate the potential of microalgae as a feedstock for bacterial PHA production with the aim to develop a circular, sustainable and economically feasible production of biodegradable plastic. We also will focus on the microalgal cell wall to enhance extraction of valuable compounds and to act as feedstock.
The scholarship is funded by Kempe Foundations and is tax-free and is for 350 000 SEK per year for 2 years.
Qualifications
To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.
Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.
Doctoral degree should be within Biochemistry or Biotechnology.
Additional requirements are:
Experience with microbiological, biochemical and/or biotechnical methods
Expert knowledge of experimental work with photosynthesizing microorganisms, preferably green microalgae
Solid experience in practical laboratory work
Good to very good oral, writing and reading skills in English.
Meriting criteria are:
Experience in analytical techniques such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
We are looking for candidates who are creative and can take initiative, have social competence and enjoy be a part of a team. The candidate is driven, curious and open to new collaborations. You are able to work independently as well as in a group.
Application
A full application should include:
A cover letter summarizing your qualifications and how you feel you meet the essential and meriting criteria (max 2 pages),
Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
Copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
Copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
Copy of doctoral thesis and up to 5 relevant articles,
Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
Contact information to two scientists willing to act as references.
Submit your application as a PDF marked with reference number FS 2.1.6-756-24, both in the file name and in the subject field of the email, to medel@diarie.umu.se. The application should be written in English (preferably) or Swedish. Application deadline is 21 May 2024.
The candidate’s physical workplace will be in Umeå, and will begin no later than August 2024.
The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees and strong and expanding research. The Department has four major research areas: Biological Chemistry, IBEAM, Organic Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Center.
